As is tradition, we’ve lined up six stunning sherry-driven drams to bring you a boxful of festive flavours. Rich fruit, nut and Christmas cake notes abound in this eclectic mix of Christmas spirit from Scotland and far beyond. A very merry sherry whiskymas to one and all!
A Very Sherry Whiskymas: Christmas Box 2021
The English Whisky Co, Gently Smoked Sherry Cask 2021
The English Whisky Co. themselves say it has been a long time since they released a whisky this heavily sherried - making this a dram with a colour, aroma and taste far removed from their house style. Abounds with rich creaminess, complemented by soft peat smoke. A cracking winter warmer!
Tasting notes:
Creamy, rich and oily palate with a soft spicy smoky sweetness. Dry with oaky, wood overtones. The fruits come across with the cherries dominating. Aniseed and liquorice. Toffee and honey on the finish. Fantastic long, dry finish.
Glen Scotia, Seasonal Release 2021 Aged 12 Years
This special festive limited edition has its first maturation of 11 years in a mix of first fill Bourbon and American Oak hogsheads, then spends its 12th year in first fill Oloroso hogsheads and heavily charred American oak barrels. All that adds up to a warming, spicy character, which goes wonderfully with the Campbeltown style we know and love.
Tasting notes:
On the nose: toffee, apple, sea spray, soft vanilla and salted caramel. On the palate: creamy vanilla and brown sugar are balanced by warm spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Long, nutty finish with dried orange peel and gentle warming spice.
Heroes & Heretics, 48
Heroes & Heretics 48 is a mystery blend of Scotch malts aged 10 years, including a finishing flourish in a sherry butt. The disco-themed label pays homage to the 80s, and as indie bottlers Heroes & Heretics put it, the liquid is evocative of popping candy, cream soda, a summer breeze and...fluffy dice?!
Tasting notes:
On the nose: honeycomb and sultana, followed by fresh barley and a touch of charred oak. On the palate: sponge cake, peanut butter, grilled apricot and chocolate ice-cream. A lingering hint of toasted spices on the finish.
Mackmyra, Stjärnrök
A cunningly crafted combination of casks fuels this limited release from Mackmyra, from smoky spirit in fresh Oloroso casks to Swedish oak casks saturated with Cloudberry wine. All that maturation magic conjures an end product that is complex yet gently sweet. A stunner.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Smoke, spiciness and peat with notes of juniper. Fruity, raisins, nuts, dried fruit, roasted bread tones, vanilla fudge, tobacco leaves, sandalwood, cedar and ginger. Palate: Smoky, fruity and spicy with peat and juniper notes together with minerals, herbs from vanilla fudge, raisins, orange peel, dark chocolate and dried fruit. Finish: Clear smoke in symbiosis with exotic dried fruits.
Milk & Honey, Elements Series Sherry Cask
Israeli whisky? A festive first for us! Milk & Honey's Tel Aviv distillery combines traditional distillation methods with "rapid but graceful" hot climate maturation. Their special Element Series uses meticulously selected casks - here, 40% Oloroso and PX sherry casks - to compose impressive flavours over the classic single malt base.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Dominant rich red fruit notes, covered by gentle oak, caramel scent and lemon freshness. Palate: Medium bodied. Light fruity sherry sweetness rich fruits and dark chocolate, followed by gentle oaky notes. Finish: Long. The dark chocolate notes linger in the palate for a while, followed by tobacco and oak notes.
Berry Bros. & Rudd, Christmas Edition Royal Brackla 2007
This cracking cask strength Christmas Edition Royal Brackla, from the UK's oldest indie bottler, spent 12 years in refill hogsheads before a further 2 year maturation in fresh Pedro Ximénez butts. A very special seasonal sipper. A merry sherry Christmas to all!
Tasting notes:
Wonderfully spiced mix of fresh and dried fruits; apples, pears and melon from the distillate and sticky figs and dates from the wood. The palate leans more towards the thick sherry wood influence with prunes, clove rock, toffee and honeycomb all swirling round.
How to get your Very Sherry Whiskymas box
This is a fantastic set of festive drams which you're guaranteed to enjoy this Christmas...
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